Opinion
Why Nigeria Police And DSS Must Go After Sara-Igbe
By Yau Sule Imam
The Northern Action Alliance has insisted that the self acclaimed advocate for the Niger Delta, Chief Anabas Sara- igbe deserved a deterrent action of been quizzed bythe police authority for viciously initiating a smear campaign to malign the hard earned reputation of Mr Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited NNPCL.
The group in a statement on Tuesday issued and signed Sambali Shekarau, the coordinator and Isma’ila Dankaka from Zaria road, Tuduna wada in Kaduna state opined that the kalabari born water backwater activist uncout utterances fueled by his sponsors and vested interest to run down the good image of Mele Kyari and unique achievements earned in the history of Nigeria in the oil and gas sector .
According to the release, the pretence of Sara -igbe and his facade of self righteous, lies , ego trips and charlatanism is already outdated .
As a known lone ranger tagged one man squad even within his extraction, portends his claim of leading a Niger Delta as beyond spurious and sham , as it was discovered aside his phantom group readily available for engagement by mere detractors and enemies of Niger Deltans .
With his identity according to the group , nobody takes him serious any longer , as his vocation is to making himself available for public nuisance he had indulged for a long time immemorial.
Therefore, this campaign of calumny and character assassination been sponsored by detractors is business as usual that had been the way of life of the old ageing racketeer and not the good name built on probity, accountability and transparency by NNPCL GCEO, Mele Kyari.
For an activist who was not visible during the struggle in the Niger Delta Region and suddenly became a willing tool in the hands of some top management staff of NNPCL like Oritsemeyan Eseyan and his cohorts, is tantamount to self seeking ambition for personal aggrandizement.
As an opportunist and a serial destabilizer , the claim of leading one of the formidable south south elders forum was only a discourse on the National Television with nothing to show on ground, but sponsored by the colleagues of Mele Kyari.
His recent claim against the operational status of Warri and Port Harcourt Refinery been functional before the ascension of Mele Kyari as GCEO NNPCL was a testament of an eccentric personae willingly used for the destruction of a dedicated and patriotic public officer in the position of Mele Kyari.
Sara-igbe allegations of Mele Kyari misleading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserved a thorough probe by the security agencies, while reiterating the position of the self appointed old farce youth leader as a dissident detrimental to the well being of the country .
While passing a vote of confidence on the current leadership of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, he has no doubt and endorsed his transformation and reform roadmap at the corporation.
The release further states..
“In a brazen display of arrogance and deceit, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a self-proclaimed advocate for the Niger Delta, unleashed a vicious smear campaign against Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).”
” The Kalahari born backwater activist’s vitriolic barrage – fueled by his sponsors vested interests, aimed to tarnish Mele Kyari’s exemplary record of service and undermine the progress achieved under his sterling leadership in the oil and gas sector. ”
“Beneath Sara-Igbe pretentious façade of self righteousness, lies a dubious web of ulterior motives, ego trips and charlatanism. ”
“In his Kalabari native land, he is known to be a one man riot squad. His claim of leading a group in the Niger Delta is spurious and a complete sham. Igbe has no group except the phantom one with which he comes to make to public to make noise now and then – for who hires him.”
“Knowing Sara-Igbe for what he is, we won’t join issues with him, except to set the records straight on his TV tantrums.”
“This publication is therefore meant to unravels the lifestyle of an aging racketeer, whose stock in trade is play to the gallery. And get paid by anyone – for his cheap talks. ”
“His malicious campaign directed at the NNPCL’s GCEO holds no foundation. He is merely an architect of empty noise – in fact a bag of wind, that is not be taken serious.”
“What role did he play in the days of youths uprising in the Niger Delta? He was a much younger person 20 years ago. When names are mentioned of those who stood for civil rights and resource control, his shadow is not even seen. Is it at the peak of his declining years that he can do something?”
“Anabs Sara-Igbe, is an opportununist and serial destabilizer. Only gullible young people listening to his high flown, grandiose comments on TV may get carried away, but not the discerning. ”
“His self-proclaimed leadership of the South/South Elder’s Forum is a charade. ”
“He is the sole founder, member and only beneficiary of the phantom organization. Which merely serves as a vehicle for extortion and coercion, and for exploiting vulnerable individuals and entities, who want to avoid his cheap blackmail and threats. ”
” Mele Kyari, a distinguished public servant, and Sara-Igbe’s latest target for unjust vilification and slander, is self-serving.”
“In his recent media appearance sponsored by Mele Kyari colleagues at the NNPCL, especially the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Group Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, Sara-Igbe displayed profound ignorance of the nation’s oil and gas sector – resulting in his propagation of absolute falsehoods and misinformation. ”
“His claim that the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries were operational before Mele Kyari ordered their routine maintenance and shutdown is grossly inaccurate. Industry experts recognize the mandatory five years maintenance cycle for refineries – which renders Sara-Igbe’s allegations worthless and inconsequential.”
“Without much ado, it is on record that Mele Kyari’s timely intervention prevented catastrophic failure of the nation’s oil industry – ensuring a circle of optimal performance.”
Sara-Igbe alleged that Mele Kyari misled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on fuel subsidy removal – it is spurious and unfounded.
“President Tinubu’s stance on subsidy removal, which all presidential aspirants also adopted in the 2023 elections, was unequivocal, during his campaign rounds across the country and it was also included in his inaugural address.”
“He had no contact with Mele Kyari before his inauguration of 29th May 2023. ”
“Sara-Igbe’s lack of comprehension of the petroleum industry made him utter series of blunders, as he was poorly tutored by his sponsors.”
“Within the confines of the NNPCL, it is no secret that the duo of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Engr. Umar Ajiya – both high-ranking NNPCL officials, orchestrated the media onslaught against Mele Kyari. ”
“Aside envy and desperation, their motive is to oust Mele Kyari, despite his unwavering commitment to the President Tinubu’s administration, especially in the oil and gas industry.”
” The TV appearance of Sara-Igbe was at the behest Mrs. Eyesan, a native Delta State, who supposedly would be the beneficiary if Mele Kyari is harassed out of office, while Engr. Ajiya was also in the shadow if President Tinubu is disposed to appoint a northerner after Mele Kyari might have been disgraced out of office.”
“That was what Sara-Igbe advocacy outing was all about.”
“Sara-Igbe’s threats to instigate chaos in the Niger Delta if Mele Kyari is retained in office beyond January 2025 gives cause of concerns and worry. Even if Kyari retires at 60, the onus rests with Mr. President to re-engage him if he so desires.”
“It is unbecoming for an ordinary citizen to issue threats to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an aberration.”
“Sara-Igbe audaciousness deserves investigation by the nations security agencies.”
“His sabre rattling and chest thumping shouldn’t be swept under the carpet as idle talk.”
” He now probably owns a private army. This demands security verification. The nation’s oil assets domiciled in the Niger Delta shouldn’t be carelessly threatened.”
“Consequent on the foregoing, the Northern Action Alliance urged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of Security Services and the Nigerian Army cause investigations into Sara-Igbe’s garrulous statements. ”
“A stitch in time saves nine.
Murderers are not usually identified with bulging biceps and fist. A psychopath often sees through his intentions, so could Sara-Igbe.”
” His boasting of unleashing collateral damage on the nation’s oil assets must not to be taken lightly. He must go through both security and mental assessments.”
“Contingent on the above, The Northern Action Alliance reposes absolute confidence on Mele Kyari, and therefore endorses him, in recognition of his transformative initiatives and reforms that have restored transparency and accountability to NNPCL.”
By Suleiman Hassan Gimba Esq
I do not speak for Buni, for I am neither the voice nor the vessel of government. I do not speak for the flyover, for I am neither its foundation nor its asphalt. And I do not speak for the detractors of the flyover, for I am neither their echo nor their intent.
But I do speak for myself—as a citizen who will drive on this flyover and the existing roads in Yobe.
I speak as a husband, as a potential father who understands that government policies shape my ability to provide for my family. The roads I travel, the infrastructure around me, and the decisions made in government halls all influence my capacity to build a future where my child can grow in safety and my wife can nurture them in a stable, supportive environment.
I do not speak for power, nor for opposition—I speak for the everyday man whose life is shaped by these choices, for the citizen who desires not just development in name but development that truly serves the people.
As a child, I struggled to grasp the saying, “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.” One of my teachers at FECOET Demonstration Secondary School, Prof. Adam M. Abubakar, used to say it often.
It was plain, simple, and straightforward, yet my young mind could not understand how failing to plant during the rainy season meant sowing the seeds of hunger in the dry season. But I have since come to understand that development that truly serves the people is built on planning.
I have followed the political career of His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, and I hope to write a book about him one day, for his is a career rooted in planning.
Everywhere he goes, he excels. There was a clear plan when he was a Special Adviser to the Governor, there was one when he led the APC, and there is a bold one in his leadership of Yobe State. The APC enjoyed its best days under his watch; he was National Secretary of the first and only opposition party in Nigeria’s history to defeat a sitting president; he was Chairman of the Caretaker Committee that rescued the APC from implosion.
The importance of planning is best illustrated when comparing Abuja and Lagos. Both are Nigeria’s biggest cities, but in terms of road convenience, Abuja is far ahead. Why? Because Abuja was built with a master plan to last the ages, while Lagos has had to adapt as it grows. The roads in Abuja were constructed before congestion set in, with flyover pillars pre-installed in strategic locations, waiting for activation. Lagos did not have that foresight. Today, its people sleep in traffic, and all remedial efforts are expensive and disruptive.
It is no different with Damaturu. As urbanization increases, road congestion will become a major challenge. A flyover can significantly ease traffic, reduce travel time, and improve road safety by minimizing accident-prone intersections.
It will also enhance the work of agencies like YOROTA, YEMABUS, fire services, police, and other security bodies by allowing them to move more efficiently.
I cannot speak for the flyover, but I can speak for large infrastructure projects. I have been around long enough to know that such projects create employment, directly and indirectly. The flyover will not only provide construction jobs but will also stimulate economic activity by improving connectivity. It sits on roads that link at least three other local governments, another state, and three neighboring countries. Property values around it will rise, increasing local wealth and boosting Internally Generated Revenue through modernized property taxation under YOGIS.
And what is Damaturu if not our own Abuja, our own FCT? Whether we acknowledge it or not, the city will experience population growth and commercial expansion. What we can decide is whether we prepare for it—and H.E. Mai Mala Buni is doing just that. Strip Dubai of its infrastructure, and it is nothing but a Yusufari in the Middle East. We, too, must build the kind of infrastructure that attracts investment.
What many may not realize is that the flyover will actually save them money—on fuel, on vehicle maintenance. Smoother traffic flow means lower fuel consumption and less wear-and-tear on vehicles. It also means reduced carbon emissions due to less idling in traffic, aligning with the governor’s environmental sustainability plan and the broader Damaturu Development Plan.
What we can hope for is transparency in budgeting, procurement, and contract execution to ensure that the project is completed on time and to standard.
To close this write-up, I return once more to my childhood—boring, I know. I grew up seeing the NPN shops in Potiskum. Built in the late ’70s and early ’80s, they were the first all-concrete, fire-resistant shops in Nigeria. At the time, many saw them as wasteful and too ambitious. But today, development has caught up with them. No one stands at Kasuwan NPN and questions whether we were ready for them.
The same will be said of the five modern markets built by His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, the Potiskum Cattle Market, and now, the flyover. These projects will stand the test of time. And though I can never speak for Buni, they will speak for him—because they were planned with the people in mind. And when they start improving lives, the people will listen. The people will rejoice. Years and decades may pass, but these projects will remain, honoring the man who built them and serving the people he holds dear.
By Jumai Ahmadu
It is no longer news that there was an altercation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, but what it underscores is how women in elective positions in Nigeria continue to face severe under-representation.
Senator Natasha Akpoti, who was almost suspended from parliament by the Senate President, is just one out of similar cases in the recent past. Sen. Ireti Kingibe and Sen. Remi Tinubu (now First Lady) all had bitter experiences at the upper chamber.
It is in the light of these awful experiences that Seat Reservation for Women Bill by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, becomes urgent to only boost gender parity, but to unlock national prosperity of which women are a critical segment of.
Nigerian women’s political engagement in Nigeria has quantitatively shown that there is grossly low levels of female election to the National Assembly. The issue of female electiveness is one of myriad of issues women face in Nigeria – poor economic power, discrimination, cultural and religious inhibitions as well as societal biases.
The very notion that the country’s political sphere since 1999 has not witnessed any seismic shift in terms of gender equity and parity rather has remained largely dominated by men despite several efforts by both government and the private sector to enhance women participation and representation in elective politics does not inspire confidence in terms of inclusion and diversity.
A statistical report in 2017 on women and men in Nigeria shows that representation of high-ranking government officials with decision-making powers is heavily lopsided in favour of men. The representation of women in the 9th Assembly is not a significant improvement from past Assemblies.
In 1999, sixteen (16) women were elected into the National Assembly with thirteen (13) in the House of Representatives and three (3) in the Senate. The total number increased to 25 in 2003 with twenty-one (21) in the House and four (4) in the Senate.
The highest number of women ever to be elected into the National Assembly is thirty (36) in 2007 with twenty-seven (27) in the House and nine (9) in the Senate. Since then, there has been a steady decline to thirty-two (32) in 2011, twenty-nine (29) in 2015 and seventeen (17) in 2019.
In the 9th National Assembly, there were eight (8) female Senators (7.3%) and thirteen (13) female Members of the House of Representatives (3.6%), which represents 4.5% of the entire Assembly.
The 10th Assembly has women occupying four (4) out of 109 seats (2.7%) in the Senate and 17 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives (4.7%), which represents 4.2% of the 469-member Assembly.
Therefore, after seven general election cycles since 1999, the number of women in the Senate has dropped to what it was at Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
It is thus significant to note that the cumulative percentage of women in the two chambers of Nigeria’s incoming 10th National Assembly is below 5%. It is also important to note that no woman was elected in 15 out of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly following the state level general elections in March 2023.
With current figures for the 10th National Assembly, Nigeria shamefully places at the lowest neighborhood of the ranking of countries on women in public leadership especially African Parliaments.
The National Assembly must take action to support increase in the number of women represented in government by passing the specific Constitution Alteration bills to achieve this.
The Temporary Special Measures bill, with more than 80 other House of Representatives members co-sponsoring it, was debated but failed to pass in the 9th Assembly. It is instructive that women groups are continuing work on the bill in the current 10th National Assembly and needs to work harder not to lose this opportunity again.
Women’s lack of adequate participation in legislative processes has negatively impacted promotion and enforcement of their rights, and despite the low representation of women in the National Assembly, the bills sponsored by female legislators has had significant impact on the lives of all Nigerians. Men’s efforts, if any, to promote these rights are not sufficient, because they are not direct beneficiaries.
Structural biases and barriers to women’s political participation indicate that the few women who show active interest in politics are discouraged by factors that include prevailing gender stereotypes, cultural/religious reasons, unfavourable political environment, lack of financial capacity, electoral violence and restrictive party structures and processes, amongst others.
Political hurdles, socio-cultural issues such as patriarchy, religious dogma, and conventional views of women in politics and socio-economic hurdles such as low income, lack of resources, electoral processes and political party structures, have all been identified as barriers to women’s political engagement.
While women are making significant contributions to Nigerian politics, their representation in political and decision-making positions needs to be improved.
And 30 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) we are nowhere near the 35% affirmative action.
Women groups plan to participate in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Conference scheduled to hold March 10 to 21, 2025.
The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly.
It is therefore recommended that the country’s 35 per cent affirmative action for women’s representation in politics be codified into law. Having legislation that requires government at all levels to have at least 35 per cent representation of women in appointive public service positions will be a good way to engender greater participation of women in politics.
Considering the importance of their presence in governance, we urge women in public leadership to stand firm and continue representing their constituents. They should never ever lose their voice, but rather continue to stand strong in your commitment to citizens and prove that representation matters.
Dr. Jumai Ahmadu is the Acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The history of abandoned nation’s city centre roads by the previous administration’s was brought to a halt, soon after the assumption of office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and appointment of Hon Minister, Nyesom Wike as the handler of the FCT in May , 2023.
Not long after his announcement and swearing as Minister of FCT, Wike visibly disturbed with the state of decayed infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, particularly the state of roads across all Areas, sessions, districts, Zones and locations swung into action by embarking on major roads repairs , resumption of construction, embarking on new ones that was commissioned during the first year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
The massive repairs by the Nyesom Wike led Federal Capital Territory made both major and linkages of roads weared a new look and brought fresh air to motorists, travelers, pedestrians among many other road users across the FCT.
As at January 2025, Wike had not only completed most of the nations city roads , but connecting them with high capacity fly over bridges across areas abandoned for many decades as part of the master plan and opening up roads in the rural areas of the six area councils of Abaji , Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje , AMAC and Bwari areas.
Major and adjoining roads across the six area councils with those abandoned for many years close to a decade have been reconstructed between weeks and months returning back to these areas good life of motorable roads to the area councils.
His style of leadership in the area of roads construction across the nooks and crannies of FCT including the interior part of the councils was the engagement of construction companies in each of the six area councils, with allocation of roads to be constructed in batches with no time limit, but to ensure good motorable roads in the six area councils with a dedicated funds of about 300Billion approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revive rural roads across the six FCT area councils.
Twenty one months down the line , the improved infrastructure and roads construction has improved and competing favorably with those of the nations city, that was once a cynosure and shadow of itself due to leadership without foresight in the previous administrations.
The implications of the provision of good roads across the nations city and area councils has reduced to the barest minimum the influx of people from all walks of life into the city centre, as people now found comfort at area councils as a result of good network of roads and Infrastructural development.
Wike road projects all over the FCT has also linked many towns and villages to the FCT from Nasssarawa, Niger , Kogi among many other states reducing the high cost of renting houses in the city centre, as people have found refuge in area councils with network of good roads and cheap accommodation against the cut throat prices at the city centre.
The FCT Minister under Nyesom Wike has changed the narration of construction of one fly over for many years in the city centre, and construction of only one rural road in the area councils as FCT intervention projects.
Currently over ten flyovers are undergoing construction, reconstruction and completion in the FCT, while area councils has witnessed roads construction of more than ten areas in each councils with the stationing of construction companies in each area councils.
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has brought a new lease of life to residents and occupants of FCT through the infrastructure upgrade by reconstructing and re-awarding and construction of new roads in the nations city.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.